About the Center

About the Fredrikson Center

History

In response to Ottawa University’s mission to operate as a Christ-centered community of grace; its vision of preparing students for lives of enlightened faith, inspired leadership, exemplary service, and personal significance; the commitment to its faith heritage; its pledge to serve the underserved; and its responsibility to enhance the communities in which it operates, President Kevin C. Eichner instituted the Fredrikson Center for Faith and Church Vitality in 2009.

President Eichner then engaged students, his cabinet, faculty, staff, coaches, and alumni, to develop and initiate programming that would strengthen and enrich the faith experiences of students and the Ottawa University community, as well as nurture the hearts and minds of American Baptist Church (ABC) church families well beyond our community borders. In addition to a significant expansion in on-campus faith-based programming, Dr. Eichner implemented a series of programs to support and enrich servant leadership in local communities and to assist American Baptist pastors throughout the Midwest. It is this tangible support, hands-on leadership and personal facilitation that make this program one-of-a-kind.

Namesakes

The Center, as well as the Fredrikson Chapel, are named in honor of the late Rev. Dr. Roger Fredrikson ’42 and his wife, Ruth ’45, who served as spiritual mentors and leaders of the University for more than five decades. Roger was a Life Trustee and was highly instrumental in developing the University’s revised mission statement in 2000, which calls for the University to operate in a “Christ-centered community of grace.” He also initiated the Adventures in Faith program more than 30 years ago, which served as a forerunner to the comprehensive spiritual programming now offered through the Fredrikson Center.